Psychological determinants of motivation in coaches of martial arts

Introduction. Motivation is one of the key topics in sport psychology. The majority of researches concerning sport motivation are focused on the motivation of sport competitors. The present study concentrates on the motivation of coaches The aim of the present study was to investigate the type of sport motivation (based on distinction of types of sport achievement orientation by Gill and Deeter: competitiveness, win orientation, goal orientation) in coaches of martial arts, and to determine temperamental and personality-related determinants of motivation. Material and methods. The participants comprised 37 male trainers of martial arts (25 boxing coaches, 12 karate coaches). The average age was 36,8 years. The study employed various research tools including: The Sport Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ) by Gill & Deeter in the Polish adaptation by Marcin Krawczyński, EPQ-R – Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire in the Polish adaptation by Brzozowski and Drwal, and FCB-TI – Formal Characteristic of Behaviour – Tempe­rament Inventory by Zawadzki and Strelau. Results. The study has shown statistically significant differences in win orientation between the coaches of boxing and karate. Higher levels of win orientation were observed in the karate coaches. The correlations between goal oriented motivation and neuroticism, and between goal orientation and such temperamental dimensions as emotional reactivity or endurance were also noted in this group. Among the boxing coaches the correlation between sensory sensitivity and goal orientation was found. Conclusions. The results indicate that most differentiating type of motivation between the coaches is the goal orientation, which shows correlations with temperamental and personality variables.

Morphological, motor and technical determinants of fighting efficiency in croatian cadet karate athletes

Introduction. The research was conducted with the aim of determining differences in morphological characteristics, basic and specific motor abilities and karate techniques, in relation to fighting efficiency. Material and Methods. The sample of examinees consisted of group of 105 elite Croatian cadet karate athletes, aged 14-16 years. According to the contestant quality, the sample was divided into higher and lower quality karate athletes. Results. The discriminative analysis results showed that higher quality athletes were of greater body height and had significantly less fat tissue. In the area of morphological measures, the fight success, that is, the fighting efficiency, was mostly influenced by body height, in a positive sense, and subcutaneous fat tissue, in a negative sense. In the area of basic motor skills, the fight success, that is, the fighting efficiency, was mostly and dominantly influenced by agility/coordination, explosive power and speed. This very research showed that specific agility-mobility dominantly determined the fighting efficiency of cadet karate athletes. It was also possible to recognize two types of fighters, one dominated by specific technique realization speed over specific agility, and the other dominated by specific agility over specific karate technique realization speed. The second type was significantly more efficient in karate fight. The fight success, that is, the fighting efficiency, was mostly and dominantly influenced by knowledge and/or technique knowledge (Technique efficiency) that was significantly saturated by basic and specific motor abilities. Conclusion. Therefore, the optimum interrelation of karate technique performance quality, and the level of basic and specific motor abilities greatly determined the fighting efficiency of young karate athletes.

Strategic-tactical optimization in hand-to-hand combat: the mastery of grappling as a determining factor in encounters

Introduction. The present work had for objective to investigate the role mastery of grappling, chiefly on the ground, considering the existence of factors whose impact extends beyond the sporting spheres, although in which they can be potentiated. Materials and methods. The literature review has been the procedure adopted to accomplish this work, including books and case studies from which the data were extracted and interpreted in their set. Results. The studies analyzed converge pointing out the primacy of the grappling under striking in MMA events. Besides, there is a trend in the sense that the higher the qualification of the fighters, the more expressive the incidence of their performance on the ground, that which, in turn, suggests that the issue is not exhausted in the mere field of grappling. Some studies have shown that, even within the context of grappling battles, the groundwork effectiveness indexes are still the most expressive Conclusion. Taking into account the athletes performances as well as the vulnerabilities presented by the group of law enfor­cement officers analyzed, some guidelines have been drawn up in order to contribute to the improvement of the methodological systems in force. 1- Whether in the sports sphere, or in the war against crime, the main approach must be based on grappling, even it is accomplished in a context in which it must be associated to striking. 2- Ground fight qualification is an imperative not only for succeeding in sporting competitions but also for survival in non-rules encounters. 3- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) must be the central pillar of modernization of the current hand-to-hand combat systems, in order to reconfigure them to the new modern combat scenario, where more and more specific ground fighting skills are required besides other capabilities.

Personality and the body composition of athletes using the example of the Polish national youth female wrestling team

Introduction. A positive relationship is recognised in literature between strength and body weight. On that basis a division into weight categories has been introduced in many combat sports. Nutritional behaviours are influenced by a number of factors that indirectly affect body weight. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality and the body composition of athletes using the example of the Polish national youth female wrestling team. Material and methods. The study consisted in the performance of a personality evaluation using the NEO-FFI questionnaire and a body composition analysis using a TANITA BC-418 analyser. 15 athletes from the Polish national youth female wrestling team aged (20.26 ± 1.43 years) participated in the study. Results. The study showed a lack of relationship between personality and body composition in members of the national wrestling team. Conclusions. Research points to a relationship between nutritional behaviours and satisfying not only the physiological, but also psychological needs of the body. A thorough investigation of this mechanism and of the possibility of its application may be very helpful, especially for combat sport athletes. The ability to optimise body weight, without the necessity of ensuring its fast reduction during the pre-start period, may have a significant impact on a person’s results.

Force-time characteristics during an explosive isometric gripping task: effects of a 10-week introductory judo course

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 10-week introductory Judo class on force-time characteristics during an explosive isometric gripping task. Material and methods. Twenty-two healthy men and women (age: 21.8±3.2yr; height: 169.6±7.4cm; body mass: 75.4±13.2 kg), 10 in an introductory judo class and 12 age-matched controls, were recruited for this study. All participants performed three five-second maximal voluntary contractions with their right hand on a handgrip dynamometer in a neutral stance before and after the 10-week intervention. The variables measured were: peak force (PF), average force (AVGF), average force to 90%PF (AVG90), rate of force development (PRFD), time to PF (TPF), force at PRFD (F@PRFD), and impulse [area under the curve for the first second (AUC1) and the first two seconds (AUC2)]. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) was used to determine differences in all variables between groups (judo vs. control) prior to and following the intervention period. Results. No differences were observed between groups within any variable. Conclusions. A 10-week introductory judo class did not have an effect on force-time characteristics during an explosive isometric gripping task. Future studies should examine longer/more intense interventions or examine novice versus experienced judoka.

Infants’ Defense Method (INDEM)

During our childhood, even early after being borne, we have innate features for self-defense instinctively which are barely noticed. On the other hand, nowadays, martial arts and self-defense practices are being steadily educated as a popular form of training. These approaches can end up with consequences in real combats. The purpose of the present paper is to introduce a new training concept by considering very basic and instinctive defensive movements exhibited by a human since his/her birth and develop and follow these features for self-defense in adolescence. This new concept will indicate that some martial arts (i.e. martial skills – different from common interpretation of a martial art) have been with us since our birth. Here we will demonstrate that even a cutie infant can provide us with noble self-defense ideas.

Intra-Season Changes in Open-Class Amateur Boxers’ Physiological Profiles: A Yearlong Study

Introduction. Little is known of the physiological trainability of boxers and their reactions to current training strategy. Material and methods. Anthropometric, back/hand strength, upper-body plyometric power and 3x3 min running parameters were measured four times throughout the year and maximal oxygen uptake () at peak season. In twelve male open-class boxers (mean ± standard deviation) age: 22.7±2.7 yrs, height: 177.2±9.4 cm and body mass: 72.1±10.7 kg. Results. Surprisingly body mass, body fat, percentage body fat and total run distance showed no improvement throughout the season until peak season (all p<.002), 72.1 kg, 8.4 kg, 11.5 %, and 2548 m respectively. However this appeared to be at the expense of fat free mass which decreased by ~2 kg at peak season (p=.014). Furthermore, improvement beyond the starting le­vels at the start of the season for all parameters was never achieved. The results suggest that despite coach and boxer best efforts, training per-se does not necessarily result in the desired improvements. Conclusion. It is advised that boxers maintain a level of diet-control/training during holiday periods, this will allow the run-up to peak season to be about a controlled decrease of BF and maintenance or increase of fat free mass, strength and power. A simple set of tests should be used to track progress and identify areas that need improving. Strength, plyometric and individualisation of training should be implemented to improve the boxers’ speed and power-endurance.

Effects of periodization in long-term training on the dynamics of changes in punch endurance of a boxer – case study

Introduction. The aim of this work was to monitor the changes a boxer undergoes in the punch endurance test in relation to special training indicators and subsequently, by means of correlation of the time series, to determine the time shift of the delayed cumulative effect in long-term preparation of boxers. Material and methods. The work has an intraindividual basis. By means of the training logs, we recorded the special training indicators and periodization in the training cycles in accordance with the sporting calendar. The athlete under observation carried out a special punch endurance test on the punch bag in regular 4-week intervals, whose duration was identical with the competitive match. The test was issued by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) in the AIBA Coaches Manual (AIBA Coaches Commission, 2011). When correlating the time series, we used the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The statistical significance of the relationships has been judged at a 20 % level of significance. Results. The average count in the punch endurance test was RTC1 830,17 ± 75,67 punches and RTC2 867 ± 40,36 punches. Statistically significant correlations with training means of speed endurance (SpdE) 1-2 time shifts (2-4 weeks) and sparring (TT S) 1-3 time shifts (2-6 weeks) have been demonstrated. Conclusions. In terms of the dynamics of changes in special punch endurance, the development copied the systematic periodization of training load, the level improved from accumulation, through the intensification up to the transformation stage, where the best test results were achieved before the top events.

Analysis of the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in Shotokan karate kata athletes

Introduction. The aim of the study was to verify whether long-term practise of the basic kata stances in Shotokan karate contributes to the occurrence of pain in the lower extremities and lumbar spine. Material and methods. The study was conducted on a group of men taking part in Shotokan karate kata tournaments whose age ranged from 15 to 60 years with training experience between 5 and 42 years. A total of 57 valid questionnaires composed of 31 questions were selected. Results. The percentage of the respondents who complained of musculoskeletal pain was 82% (the most common locations included: 34% knee, 28% hip, 13% ankle, 11% lumbar spine); this group was then divided into 3 subgroups with respect to the length of training experience. They were compared with a group of subjects who did not experience any pain which was divided into subgroups according to the same criteria. In the first group, with less than 10 years of training experience, 75% of the subjects experienced musculoskeletal pain, in the second subgroup, 10 to 15 years of training experience, 81% suffered from pain and in the last subgroup, over 15 years of training experience, 86% of the athletes complained of pain. Conclusions. The occurrence of pain in the joints of the lower extremities and lumbar spine confirms that the ailments result from performing the basic stances. There is evidence for a relation between the length of training experience and the occurrence of pain in athletes taking part in kata tournaments.

Selected psychological factors in elite male and female wrestlers

Introduction. The study was designed to measure emotional intelligence of elite male and female wrestlers and to analyse their stress coping styles. Material and methods. A group of elite male and female wrestlers aged 18-26 years was studied. The psychological factors were analysed using two research tools: the Two-Dimensional Inventory of Emotional Intelligence (DINEMO) and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Results. The study participants achieved average scores for emotional intelligence and for particular stress-coping styles. Measurements of the selected psychological factors showed that male wrestlers and female wrestlers were significantly different from each other. The female wrestlers had a lower level of intrapersonal emotional intelligence. The male wrestlers had higher scores for the task-oriented style of coping with stress while the female athletes scored higher on the avoidance style. Conclusions. Emotional intelligence and stress-coping styles are among psychological factors that influence the functioning of male and female wrestlers in sport and personal life. A need has been identified to shape and develop their emotional intelligence and adaptive stress coping styles.